Former MP Amitava Nandy dead

CPI-M leader and former MP Amitava Nandy died Friday in a hospital here, a party leader said.

"He lost his battle with cancer today (Friday) morning. His last rites will be performed Saturday," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Gautam Deb said.

Nandy, 71, was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Dum Dum constituency in North 24 Parganas and played an important role in the implementation of the metro rail expansion from Dum Dum to Dakshineshwar.

He failed to retain the seat in 2009 losing to Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy.